Up to $150g damage at Rochester home struck by fire

ROCHESTER — A fire that heavily damaged a two-story home on Forest Park Drive Tuesday morning remains under investigation as officials continue to determine that cause of the blaze.

According to Fire Marshal Dominic Bollio, damage to the residence and property is in excess of between $125,000 and $150,000 and the homeowner is currently working with their insurance company at this time.

Though the cause had not been determined yet, Bollio said the location of where it began was clear.

“We do know the fire originated in the bedroom,” he said.

Firefighters responded to the single-alarm fire at about 10:39 a.m. Tuesday and saw heavy fire from a rear corner of the home and heavy smoke throughout the neighborhood.

The fire was under control by 11:04 a.m. At that point, crews continued with overhaul efforts to rid the home of whatever portions were still smoldering.

On Tuesday, Capt. Mark Avery said there were three children in the home and one adult when the fire broke out. All four were able to get out of the residence safely before firefighters arrived.

Avery said firefighters first attacked the blaze from the back of the split-level home.

Significant damage to the interior of the home could be seen through charred and broken windows.

Avery said the right side of the home would require major renovation and possibly gutting of the entire residence. Roughly a quarter of the second floor was destroyed, he said.

Milton Fire Department assisted Rochester crews on scene as well as Frisbie Memorial Hospital Advanced Life Support, a team that had been at the Central Fire Station for training at the time the call came in.